Governance of World Association Football

Sport is big business around the world. Within the sports industry, association football - commonly referred to as "football" around the world or "soccer" in North America - is considered to be the world's richest sport and is often touted as the "king of sport" or the "most popular sport in the world." The scope of this note is to provide the reader with a brief and concise overview of association football, the governing bodies, the stakeholders and other entities involved, their rights and responsibilities, their main activities, financing sources, and funds distribution. The first part is devoted to the IFAB and FIFA, the two international entities governing and regulating world association football; the second part provides insights into each continental confederation; and the final part denotes other stakeholders that act either on a localized or international level.